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Friday, August 24, 2012

Sweet Saturday: Ice Skating

“Your Grace, I—” she began, but in that moment Lord Banbury
and Lady Katherine skated up beside them.

“Paisley, you skate like a woman,” he baited his cousin with
a wicked grin. “I am certain I could make it twice around the pond before you
made it halfway to the other side.”

A tiny smirk played on the corner of Baldwyn’s lips, and he
turned to Anastasia. “My dear, I fear a challenge has been made. Shall I accept
it?”

The special attention sent a tingle of joy through her
heart.

“Most sincerely, Your Grace. You must defend your family
honor.”

“Very well. Banbury, I accept.” They swung a wide graceful
arc and made their way back to the bank. Anastasia fairly floated on his arm as
they went.

Katherine and Anastasia settled onto the bench to watch the
race.

“May I wear your colors, my lady?” Baldwyn asked with a
gallant bow and a wink at her.

“Paisley, you’re stalling,” Lord Banbury taunted.

Anastasia slipped her handkerchief out of her muff and tied
it around his wrist and suppressed a giggle when he kissed her hand and spun
around to the starting mark.

This was the Baldwyn she remembered from long ago. The playful
knight. Rescuing her from her distress, fighting for her honor, chivalrous to a
fault.

Beside her on the bench, Katherine sighed faintly in
disappointment. Lord Banbury hadn’t asked for her favor.

Baldwyn regarded him a moment, but when he made no move
toward Lady Katherine, Baldwyn took it upon himself.

“Lady Katherine, might I wear yours as well?”

The lady’s eyes lit up. Anastasia’s heart fell to her feet.

Chivalrous to a fault. Of course he wouldn’t let Lady
Katherine be disappointed. Part of Anastasia told her it was thoughtful, but
another part wanted to pounce on the lady and tear out her hair in great
handfuls. Still another part was fully occupied with restraining the second
part from taking over the whole of her.

Lady Katherine tied her own handkerchief around Baldwyn’s
other wrist, and he kissed her hand and smiled broadly into her eyes.

Lord Banbury’s face reddened as he watched the scene unfold,
a mirror’s reflection of Anastasia’s own concealed rage.

At least Lady Katherine had the decency to blush when
Baldwyn kissed her hand.

“Lady Katherine,” the Duke of Banbury said, his voice was a
low growl. “On your word.”

She clapped her hands and stood. “Ready. Go!” she shouted.

The ice sprayed back onto Anastasia’s skirts as the two
launched forward, skating furiously for the other side of the pond. The few
other guests clapped and cheered as the race went on. Some called out for
Paisley. Others cheered for Banbury.

Anastasia herself said nothing, but sat holding her breath,
awaiting the outcome with her hands clenched together inside her warm muff.

When the two reached the far side of the pond, they were
dead even. The turn was bumpy, but Baldwyn appeared to have the better move and
turned on a pin. Banbury stumbled on his turn and lost several strides as he
struggled to keep his feet under him.

“Trouble, Ben?” she heard Baldwyn shout back at his cousin.

Lord Banbury answered with an unrepeatable curse, but
Baldwyn just laughed and slid to a stop in front of the bench a full five count
before his challenger’s arrival at the finish line.

A light danced in his blue eyes as he glanced her way. His
smile took her breath away, and she imagined it was for her alone.